The previously rumored Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO lens from Venus Optics is now officially announced. The new lens is available for Nikon Z, Canon RF, Sony E, and Leica M mounts. The price is $499 and pre-orders are now open at the official Venus Optics online store that offers international shipping (Adorama and B&H always list new Laowa lenses a few weeks later). Sample photos can be found here.
Additional information on the Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO lens:
"Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO is a mirrorless-designed macro lens with 28.55° angle of view for full frame. It is the smallest 2x macro lens in the Full Frame market. It weighs just around 252g (Leica M mount without caps and hood) which is super portable and handy for macro shooters. It features an apochromatic (APO) characteristic that chromatic aberration at both ‘in-focus’ & ‘out-of-focus’ is compressed to minimum. This new lens is able to focus from 2:1 magnification to infinity which can serve as both macro and portrait lens with great image quality."
- Focal Length 85mm
- Max. Aperture f/5.6
- Angle of View 28.55°
- Format Compatibility Full Frame
- Lens Structure 13 elements in 9 groups (3 ED glasses)
- Aperture Blades 7
- Min. Focusing Distance 16.3cm
- Max. Magnification 2:1
- Filter Thread Ф46mm
- Dimensions Φ53mm×81mm (Sony E)
- Weight (with lens cap, rear cap and lens hood) Canon RF: 310g / Nikon Z: 314g/ Sony FE:291g /Leica M: 289g
- Mounts Canon RF/ Nikon Z/ Sony E/ Leica M
Press release:
Venus Optics announce the World’s Smallest 2x macro lens for full frame mirrorless cameras: Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO
Anhui China, 29 November, 2021 – Venus Optics, the camera lens manufacturer that has been endeavoring to invent unique lenses, is thrilled to release Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO, an exceedingly compact and affordable mirrorless full frame macro lens with excellent image quality. Weighs only 259g, the lens still comes with 2x magnification inherited from most of the Laowa macro lenses which gives photographers a wider range of flexibility in creation. The APO design empowers this lens to produce pleasing minimal CA images. It fulfills the needs of many macro photographers while relieving the pain from carrying the heavy load of gears.
Though it be but little, it is fierce!
Kicking out the traditional heavy bulky macro lens, Laowa makes this 85mm lens to be revolutionarily small. Built specifically for mirrorless full frame cameras with a smaller f/5.6 aperture, the new 85mm macro lens only weighs approximately 259g/9.1oz (Sony E) and with Φ53mm×81mm/2.09”x3.18” (Sony E) in size. A 46mm filter thread also provided for circular screw-in filters. It is perfect for photographers who are looking for an extreme lightweight setup, such as using at a BioBlitz. This lens would match the portable mirrorless camera body perfectly, making macro shooting a breeze while rendering pictures with excellent and outstanding image quality.
For 1:1 or higher magnification macro photography, the depth of field is extremely shallow. Usually, photographers need to stop down to f/8 or even narrower aperture. A maximum f/5.6 is not always used as it’s not able to cover the depth in many cases. A lens with f/5.6 can keep the usability of the lens and at the same time create a much smaller instrument for macro lovers.
Up to 2x magnification
This new 85mm lens can focus from infinity to 2x magnification along with a minimum focusing distance of 16.3cm/6.41”. Numerous details can be captured for tiny objects under 2X magnification. It would be much more flexible and versatile for photographers shooting in different circumstances.
Apochromat (APO) design
The freshly designed 13 elements in 9 groups optical structure contains 3 extra-low dispersion elements which eliminates the color fringing at both in-focus and out-of-focus areas. Rendering stunning magnified pictures without chromatic aberration would be an extra convenience to photographers as it saves much time and effort on post-production.
Internal Focusing
The lens barrel does not extend in internal focusing design when changing focus. It avoids collision of the lens and the objects. It also helps reduce the chance of dust getting into the lens.
Pricing and Availability
Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO is currently available to order on the official website of Venus Optics and their authorized resellers. Recommended Retail Price in the US (without tax) is USD 449/pc (Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony FE) & USD 499/pc (Leica M). Pricing may vary in different countries. Shipping starts from early December onwards.
